A Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has condemned the conduct of Ayodele Toyosi, promoter of Reaprite Global Limited and Agrorite Limited, and his lawyer, Chukwuemeka Maduagwu, for allegedly presenting a forged medical report in an apparent attempt to obstruct trial proceedings.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Deborah Ademu-Etteh, informed the court that investigations into the medical excuse previously submitted on behalf of the defendant revealed glaring inconsistencies and false claims.
According to the EFCC, the report falsely stated that Toyosi had been referred from the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan to Reddington Hospital in Lagos for surgery. However, findings showed that no such referral existed, and there was no record of any scheduled surgical procedure at Reddington Hospital.
The forged document, submitted by Maduagwu to justify his client’s absence from court, had prompted the court to issue a bench warrant at the previous sitting due to Toyosi’s repeated failure to appear.
In response to the revelations, trial judge Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe revoked the defendant’s bail and ordered his immediate remand in a correctional facility, pending the continuation of his trial.
Toyosi is standing trial on an 11-count charge filed by the EFCC alongside his two companies, Reaprite Global Limited and Agrorite Limited.
The charges relate to obtaining money under false pretences and stealing, involving over N600 million and $50,000.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant lured unsuspecting investors into parting with funds under the guise of investing in profitable agricultural export schemes with promises of high returns. Numerous victims have since come forward, claiming they were defrauded.
Justice Abike-Fadipe adjourned the hearing to October 21 and reaffirmed the court’s determination to ensure that justice is served and not hindered by dishonest tactics.
